Kerala Meals

Thusharagiri Falls is formed by the Chalipuzha River which diverges into 3 Falls, which envelopes the area with misty spray.  The highest is the Thenpara Falls from a height of 246 ft.
Thusharagiri Falls, Thusaragiri, Kerala, India


Kava is the gateway for the rain clouds to Malampuzha. The tourists come here to see the black clouds spread over the peaks. Through the waiting moments for the rain to come in the Kava.
Kava is an awesome and silent scenic spot located on the other side of the Malampuzha Dam. There are no public transport systems available to the place. Either drive through the Malampuzha - Kanjikode road and take left to Kava - Anakkal Road (after Rock Gardens), or walk straight after the end of the dam, along the catchment area.  

Even Malampuzha has excellent spots around it, around the reservoirs. Beautiful places with reservoir on one side of the road and the other side where the forested mountains come down to meet the road - in fact they are my favourite locations. We make a visit almost every alternate weekend

First location : Take the left road as you reach the dam and go past the Hemambika temple road and beyond the boat jetty

But the best is Kava-Velampotta road :Take right at Malampuzha go past the snake park and Rock garden and then take left towards Kava/Anakkal. Nothing to beat the scenic beauty of this place, particularly during the monsoons

With your photography skills, am sure it will be us readers who will be rewarded!!


Peralassery Sri Subrahmanya Temple Kannur, Kerala
Muzhuppilangad Beach is 5 km north of Thalassery. (15 km from Kannur )
Muthappan Temple Parassinikkadavu

Bekal Beach in the northern most part of Kerala Kasargod is a long lovely one. The Bekal Fort in the middle makes it enchanting. 
kanwatheertham
ranipuram
Kava Viewpoint - palakkadu
Navara Eco Farm near Chittur in Palakkad
Contact details: 
Navara Eco Farm,
Karukamani Kalam
Chittur College P.O
Palakkad, Kerala - 678104
Phone.: 91 4923 221177, 222277
Mobile: 09447277749
Website: www.navara.in
Email: unnysfarm@gmail.com


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Thrissur,+Kerala,+India/Thusharagiri+Falls,+Thusaragiri,+Kerala/Muzhuppilangad+Drive-in+Beach,+Kerala,+India/Peralassery+Temple,+Peralassery,+Kannur,+Kerala,+India/Sri+Muthappan+Temple,+Parassinikadavu,+Kerala,+India/Bekal+Fort,+Bekal+Fort+Rd,+Kerala+671318,+India/@11.524348,74.3361302,8z/data=!4m38!4m37!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ba7ee15ed42d1bb:0x82e45aa016ca7db!2m2!1d76.2144349!2d10.5276416!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ba66c90f7db06a5:0xd7bfdd880b622002!2m2!1d76.053731!2d11.472567!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ba42408adf59b41:0x31bc17150c6f8348!2m2!1d75.44212!2d11.7959931!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ba42500dc0a013d:0xbf315d37e9ddaa9d!2m2!1d75.4859932!2d11.8327977!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ba43eed26508261:0xccd9f6d4ea8b0db6!2m2!1d75.4021955!2d11.982564!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ba480997024825b:0xdfa93a3077d7b271!2m2!1d75.0327804!2d12.3926108!3e0

Growing with SACHIN had mesmerized me

 

All through our growing years, he was with us, with his scintillating stroke play, with his guts to challenge the mighties, with his indomitable spirit of game, with his smile to win hearts of millions. He made us unite, instilled the belief to win,  inspired like a role model over the years.

In return we were with him in his troubled times. When he got out on SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ’s delivery at CHENNAI in 1999, when RICARDO POWELL hit 124 from 93 at Toronto. EJAZ AHAMED was my favourite from PAKISATN till he hit 139(84) at Lahore. The 175 against Aussies at Hyderbad is still a wounded scar we are carrying along with him.

As compared to contemporary bowling, could you believe how a young boy in his teenage carved a wonderful stroke play against greats like Marshall,McDermote,Mcgrath,Walsh,Ambrose,Akram,Waqar and Donald. Growingly he showed his prowess against Akthar,Lee,Fleming,Vaas,Dillion.

My memories starts back in 1990s. We were staying at a rented house those days. I used to go to a saloon from where I read a daily named  "EXPRESS. There I read about the 114 runs in perth test and it is still vivid in my memories. Young SACHIN was leading a battle against mighty Aussies with KIRAN MORE at one end.

Then comes the 1992 world cup. I hate Mcdermote, David Boon, Dean Jones, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch as they were like Amareesh Puri and Shakthi Kapoor for me. I was so happy that my player sachin tendulkar hit 82 against NEWZEALAND. NZ were considered as the favourites(Ken rutherford was my pick of player from NZ), but later outthrowned by INZI’s onslaught.

1994 was really a resurgence for INDIAN team as they could discover a new opener.We moved to our own house in 1994 where we bought a new tape recorder with radio and  I usually keep it on the window and get a seat near to the speaker so that I wouldn’t miss the 8.45 samachar and 9 PM news when India plays abroad. Sachins 82 from 49 balls was unbelievable for me and I had seen  his jump from crease to hit gavin Larsen in Doordarshan news many times. The scene of ball flying from the bat was a treat to the eye.

I had a big confusion “who is better KAMBLI or SACHIN?? “. The former hit back to back double tons against ENG and ZIM. But SACHIN mesmerized me in 1996 WILLS world up which I consider the best of his 6 outings. He got a huge fan following since then. Jayasurya and kaluvitharana had springs inside their bats else INDIA would have won that world cup definitely. The emotional and innocent child in me still believes that. We had no doubts that INDIA would easily win when sachin hit those sixes of CHAMINDA VAAS and PUSHPAKUMARA.I was having my lunch in front of the TV and decided to went out to imitate the SACHIN in our battle field and by the time we came back TILAKARATNE and RANATHUNGE were sailing away and we could watch them from shore only. Manoj Prabhakar would never forget that match I guess. But semifinal at EDEN GARDENS was a black Wednesday. I had wished Kambli hit consecutive sixes and fours on Jayasurya and Vaas and take India home at Eden. But he had to weep along with us. 

1998 - Oh!My GOD.No words to say. It starts with a blistering 26 ball 41 of Independence cup. 9 centuries in a year that too classic,brutal,elegant.SHARJAH,TOM MOODY,KASPAROWICZ,WARNE,OLONGA.It still mesmerises....

1999-World cup was  not good by his standards.2000s showcased the master class in him and each of his innigs earned him the tag of super human. The sixes of Andy Caddick and Shoaib Akthar sramped his authority over the bowlers.

Memories are galore and pouring when we think about him as he take us into the pleasure of watching.

He made us to peep into TVs of strangers home to know how much he scored when STAR cricket and TEN sports were alien and INDIA was playing abroad.Those were the times we wait for TV shops of MG road to open to know how much SACHIN has scored.

I had seen SACHIN bowled by SHOAIB in first ball and KOLKATTA fan’s stunning silence.He had to come out and plead spectators to continue the match when he was tangled by SHOAIB for a run out. I had watched the declaration at 194 against PAK at MULTAN in front of a TV shop MG Road Ernakulam on a hot sunny day. I still remember the match against ENG in KANPUR where SACHIN and his clone(SEHWAG) cracking HOGGARD and Gough. I never felt tired watching all that 29 overs from a KSRTC bus stand.

As one of my friend said, now cricket is no more of aesthetics-. The real miss is waking up by 8 30 and preparing for a day match on a cold SUNDAY morning. The voice from stadium when INDIA bat first was always enough to increase heart beating , The rise of heartbeats when Sachin faces the initial delivery.There are some advantages too.No need to bunk classes/office.No need to stand in front of home appliance shops of town. The rise on his knees, the glance through the midwicket, the dead straight drives, the sweeps all were classy and no one could beat that.

He will mesmerize our memories for sure.

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/68/68347.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lGdKDg6l5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfXtkwv2WS8 Time frame 4.31 to 4.34.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WeZf9fFPMA.......time frame 2.43 to  3.25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUGTDk9hvNg

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/64742.html

Lantern

I felt alone, darkness and stricken when I turn back on the road started for achieving the ambitions we had long for years back. We lost our way in the shadows of luxury and posh of MNC s and forgot the payback time to our society. But there was a person waiting for us carrying a lantern that glows virtues. 

He is none other than our beloved Big Brother – Binoj.

Hope all of you remember the initiation from the three – Binoj,Munna and Ratheesh a month back and we could start off it with a happy note. We went to Kasthurbha Old Age home, Nedupuzha, Thrissur and arranged a lunch with them.

There were 27 women ready to love those who come there, but not loved by their lovable siblings, son, daughters during their old age. One of them even put me in a state of mind where I could feel the power when someone loves us. I felt blessed, loved and ashamed off the self proclaimed worthless achievements. They are more passionate than us about their life even when they had no home, no relatives, no grand daughters to love. I could control my tears in time else it would burst.

At 1 o clock they started prayer and asked my name, I said sandeep and binoj.

They prayed “Innivide ethi njngalku bhakshanam tharan sanmanasu kanicha sanjayinum vinodhinum avarude kootukarkum kudumba karkum nallathu varuthene”.

We spent time with them hearing their worries and felt by the ignorance they faced in their life. We took photographs and they were very excited about their appearance in those photos.

           

Binoj was on duty in charge of the state school youth festival website developed by his team and even deprived his sleep of as he reached room after a night out support just before my call. That’s called passion. Mine is a tiny dew drop on Mount Everest.

When we were about to leave one grand mother said that she does not want to die as there are people who still follows virtues in their minds and she wait for them which she could not see prior to this old age home. Yes guys they are waiting for you

There are many these kind of activities we can do with ease and I believe in those small things that lift our self morale. It gives a great satisfaction to me.

CSEZ canteen.....................................................

Trying to recollect the beautiful moments when we start up from seat by pressing windows L and realize that you are the only person remains to join the group down at ground floor. Sometimes that realization ends up in second floor restroom or reception itself.

From ground floor, its like a amal neerad film, guys walks in slow motion, three steps forward and two quick steps back. The CZEZ gate will be cleared in no time and wait for trailers to pass. Discussion on the various burning topics reaches its peak and hits a sudden hault by seeing the closed canteen doors. At that moment the timely comment from Paul comes "Dogs went to csez canteen and ....."

Post if u can remember.............. those occassions/dates.
Starting with Amavasi in Karkidakom(July)

Moments that needs to be revived

To my classmates
----------------------
I had been a silent observer of my friend’s deeds during my college days.
I m pretty sure that nobody would forget the picture of mercury UPS….especially Oolanoj…………..

Once upon a time, there were only three computers in MH 2007 batch owned by three - Kadan, Bujith and PULI. These Bourgeoisies(boorshaw in malayalam) hail from the wild forests of Malabar. Seeing them playing games all the time, our Oolanoj decided to buy a new one. Then entered our Thadiyan lecturing his one year experience in a comp.hardware shop. Oolanoj didn’t think second, took him and went to a shop ignoring Indicom-a traditional shop for MHCET.

While buying UPS Oolanoj suggested Powercom which was the brand UPS of MH (a best source of income for Indicom). But couldn’t convince Thadiyan and they came back with Mercury VOLVO.

That evening……

Thadiyan: “Da binoje engane indera nammude puthiya item…..

Oolanoj : hmm. Kollam vicharicha pole alla.

Hearing the positive response Thadiyan started a lecture about How UPS works and at the end of it he said

Thadiyan: “Nee enthoota vichariche…..Mercury ille international branda international brand…..allande ee potta Powercom pole local brandonnum alla…….”

Hearing this Kadan folded his fists, jumped from chair, Bujith straightened his sushumna from chair and push the hair slanded on the forhead to side, PULI as always opened another Yesudas folder and started playing one Raveendran song……

Night 8 PM…all of a sudden there happened a fluctuation in current and voltage stayed low…..

Our international brand started making a peculiar continual beep noise which fell on Thadiyans ear like a spearhead. The Powercom didn’t show any disturbance and worked like a warhorse.The beep sound didn’t stop until the voltage comes.

Thadiyan went near to VOLVO and inspected thoroughly. When he turned back,the rest was a “pedare moment” and Thadiyan couldn’t count the hands fall on his back…..The beep continued for some more days as voltage came down and finally he agreed “mercury volvo” is a Beemapally brand.

Dravid-A phenomenon where hatred is as equivalent to love

How much an Indian Cricket fan would have loved Dravid. It is realized by the hatred Dravid received from the fan. The more hatred he received, the more lovable he became.

I started loving hatred through Dravid. Over the years, when opening pairs were broken, quite early or not, a man with head down comes to the crease, starts tucking down deliveries. His survival was considered as a break for fans to resume their unfinished tasks. They begin to iron their next weeks cloths, goes to get groceries and finish bath. I was not different too but had to stop at Dravid’s elegant flicks through square and fine leg. Sad to say that we are going to miss it.

Growing years I realised that I was a big fan of him and loved with the same degree that I had vested for my dream god Sachin. His 50 balls 30, 70 balls 40 with Sachin,Ganguly or Sehwag seems insipid when we chase down a meagre scores of less than 230 because we had the luxury to go for attack. Fans hate these essentials though they were the building blocks. If there were targets around 200-230 and Indian top order tumbles to even feeble attacks of minnows, when probable win seems to be loosing from our hand, his 50s and 80s had lifted the doomed morale of crew.....and it was noticed late.

I believe moments need to be cherished forever. Living through them gives a soothing relief.

One of such kind was in Samsung cup 2004 at PAKISTAN. It was a 5 match series and PAK was leading 2-1. Cable was not there in my home at that time and I was watching that match at the expense of favourite mega serial of my neighbours family. I had been showing my ecstasy for each ball as they would hesitate to change the channel and was at their mercy during over break. Yuvi and Dravid were cruising smooth repairing the loss of wickets at regular intervals. Suddenly Yuvraj got out, India was 162/5 stranded at Lahore on chasing a score of 290+. I gave the remote back to them and started walking to my house despaired. I really had wished to win that match from the bottom of my heart, don’t know why. It would be expected to give me a ray of inspiration on the lean patch of life I was going through at that time. It was March, watching TV for cricket was considered to be a sin and I had cancelled my home tuition for 2 students. Serials got over, I went back again and switched on TV. A glee of joy sprang up in my heart. India needs runs less than per balls. Dravid and Kaif were running like kids between wickets. When the winning run was hit I looked around to express my joy and I couldn’t find a face other than of a bewildered 80 year old woman who was laughing at my excitement. I told her that India won by 5 wickets and she asked me how many runs Sachin scored. Sachin was their favourite too.

My neighbor Lijo and I usually play cricket in my front yard for hours continuously. Sometimes my brother comes to spend his time. Those were the times I felt a cricketer that I have seen over the small screen is playing in front of me. He batted like a Dravid against us. We were hardly bowled out him. Toiled hard and hard and finally he quarralled with him for spoiling our style of play that we imitated foolishly the then superstars Sachin,Lara,Waugh….Once I was in a dilemma of how to behave next when he was out for a duck at first ball. I couldn't play for minutes because I could never think that my brother who came at 9'o clock at morning and went out in first ball. My friend and I looked each other not knowing what to do next. This would have been the same in Indian dressing room I swear. There is no surprise that Dravid owns the record for not being dismissed on a duck for 120 innings consecutive one-day matches.

I still remember the moments when I was thinking about the new saviours of Indian cricket doomed in deep sorrow of humiliation in front of their own crowd. I had wished Kambli hit consecutive sixes and fours on Jayasurya and Vaas and take India home at Eden. There comes the resurgence of Indian team in the form of two young bloods - Ganguly and Dravid.

Dravid was sidelined by the stardom of Ganguly and Sachin and later by Sehwag and Yuvraj as they were natural stroke makers. Debates were plenty about the pressure applied by Dravid when he was not able to find runs in 2-3 balls of an over, which indirectly creates pressure on non-strikers who were then in omniscient touch. This was a false concept because others were natural stroke makers and love to take attack back onto the bowlers and in course they forgot the value of wicket. They hit balls that were not in slot that might cost sometimes and when they got out the blame was on a man who was speculate in shot selection. In this regard cricket as a game perceived wrongly in 90s and 00s and started revealing the role a shield anchor now a days. Actually in his times Dravid was doing the same, but couldn't convince or he didn't try to showcase it properly to the world about the importance of his own existence in the game.

Without him an inspiring innings 98(75) from our little maestro would be a pain now….

Without him it was not possible to win a series at Rawalpindi (2004)...

He was there at Adelaide(2003) in their first win in Australia since the same kind in 1980-81.......

And he stood as a wall to produce one of the greatest comeback victories, Kolkatta(2001) in the history of the cricket....

He was ailing for a similar kind of help at Port Of Spain against Lanka at league match WC2007. I wished I had a computer program to create a matrix of Dravid and send to the middle.

Keeping ones value of wicket was as important as that of playing strokes in cricket. But that saga was unsung over the years and we scratch from baskets now.

Hats off to that man whose toil will be the myths of next generation.....

Reference:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64884.html

http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/64/64381.html

http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/64/64381.html